Vinyl pressings
by Tim Weisberg · 1974
4 was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
l A & M SP 33719 - S1Side A runout variant 1
l A & M SP 33720 - S1 ASide B runout variant 1
l A & M SP 33719 - S2Side A runout, Variant 2
l A & M SP 33720 - S1Side B runout, Variant 2
A&M SP33719-S2 BSide A runout, variant 1
TI A&M SP33720-S2 B4Side B runout, variant 1
T1 A&M SP-03121 A T10Side A runout, variant 2
T1 AM SP-03121-B T12..Side B runout, variant 2
AIB- A&M SP03121-A-RCA1 ISide A runout
AIA A&M SP03121-B-RCA1 ISide B runout
SP-03121-ASide A label
SP-03121-BSide B label
A+M SP33719-S2Side A
A+M SP33720-S4Side B
A+M SP33719-S1Side A
A+M SP33720-S1Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP 3658First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3658First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3658 / A&M Records SP 3658First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3658First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | India | A&M Records SP-3658First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP 3658First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP 3658First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP 3658First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP 3658First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP 3121First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | A&M Records AMLS 63658LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | A&M Records AMLS 63658LP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP 3121 / A&M Records SP-3121LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Colombia | A&M Records AMS 5127LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-3658LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of 4 are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1974 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Canada, India. One of them is A&M Records SP 3658.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 3658, SP 3121, SP-3658) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, l A & M SP 33719 - S1 and l A & M SP 33720 - S1 A. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
